Dept of Mo General Orders DEC 2010

							                               HEADQUARTERS
                          DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI
                   VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE U.S., INC
                            GENERAL ORDERS NO. 6

Series 2010 - 2011                                                                          December 2010
                          (To be read or distributed at a regular Post meeting and filed)


1. The next meeting of the Council of Administration will be held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson
City, on Saturday, February 5, 2010, starting promptly at 8.00 a.m. Council meetings are open to the
membership and members are encouraged to attend. All members of the Council, as well as Committee
Chairmen should make every effort to attend. The highlight of the February meeting will be our annual
Voice of Democracy Award Banquet. State winners in the Voice of Democracy, Patriots Pen, and
Teachers Award programs will be honored. Workshops are scheduled to be conducted during the
weekend. The schedule of events and additional information will be distributed with the January General
Orders and posted on the Weblog at http://vfwwebcom.org/missouri as soon as available. Hotel
reservations may be made by calling 573-635-1234, or 800-338-8088. When making your reservations,
please be sure to tell them you are with the VFW. Cut off for hotel reservations is January 21, 2011.


2. All members, with the exception of Life Members, are reminded that 2010 membership cards expire
at midnight on December 31, 2010. All members who have not yet renewed for 2011 are urged to do so
as soon as possible. All membership renewals must be at National Headquarters prior to the close of
business December 28, 2010. If you are mailing your dues, do so no later than December 17 to
ensure processing by December 31.


3. Attention is called to Article II--Posts, Section 215, Eligibility to Office, in the Congressional Charter
and By-Laws. It states: “Any officer or Committee member whose membership is not in good
standing by reason of failure to pay current dues by December 31 shall forfeit his eligibility to
hold office in that administrative year.” There are no exceptions or appeals.


4. All District Commanders should make every effort to conclude the inspection program prior to the end
of the year. Please be sure that you have had a District Inspection Form completed and turned in to the
Department Inspector.


5. Congratulations go out to all of the Post Commanders, Quartermasters, and Membership Chairmen
that have achieved 100% membership. All Post Commanders, Quartermasters, or Membership
Chairmen (Commanders choice) who attain 100% of their membership goal by 12-31-2010, will receive
this year’s distinctive VFW membership shirt. No more than 2 shirts per Post will be awarded. See page
26 of the Post Commander and Quartermaster Handbook & Post Membership Program 2010-2011
booklet for details.
General Orders #6, Series 10-11
Bob Wonnell, State Commander
Page - 2

6. Districts that reach 100% in Membership by December 31, 2010: Every District Commander and
District Membership Chairman will be awarded a 100% Membership Shirt if the District is 100% by
December 31, 2010. No more than 2 shirts per District will be awarded.


7. It is not too early to start looking at the All State competition. Please take a look at your Post
Commander and Quartermaster Handbook & Post Membership Program 2010-2011 booklet, page 22 to
see what your Post needs to do. All State determination will be made from data collected by the
Department Headquarters on April 30.


8.    Quarterly Audit Reports are required to be submitted to Department Headquarters no later than the
last day of the month following the quarter. Quarters end on June 30, 2010, September 30, 2010,
December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011. Any post missing a Quarterly Audit Report will not be allowed
to vote at the upcoming State Convention to be held in June 2011.


9. Posts are reminded that Article XII, sec. 709, Control of Units, specifies the insurance requirements
for Posts owning or operating a canteen or clubroom. Posts owning or operating such facility must have
insurance of a type and amount sufficient to protect the Post and must name, as additional insured’s, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Department in which such Post is located. Quartermasters are
asked to review their policies and insure the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Department of
Missouri are listed as additional insured, and if not, contact their agent and get this corrected.


10. The Veteran Service Officer program is vital to our organization. Department funds the expenses of
our Service Officer Program from department membership dues and donations from Posts, Auxiliaries
and individuals. Without your donations, we cannot continue to provide the service we are now
providing. This program is what we are about. Over one-third of the claims filed through the St. Louis
VA Regional Office are filed by VFW Service Officers. Remember, they are employed by you, the VFW
members in Missouri. They assist your members and Veterans in your community in obtaining vital
health care and VA benefits. !!PLEASE!! START YOUR DONATIONS!! NOW! and take pride in the
work they are doing.


11. Members who received a box of Christmas Cards, and have not remitted their donation are
requested to make payment at an early date. Proceeds from these donations are returned to the
Departments. The revenue derived from this program is vital to the operation of our organization this
year. Please give the card program your cooperation.


12. All District Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen, and Americanism Chairmen are reminded to mail a
copy of their report of Posts participating in the Voice of Democracy, Patriots Pen, and Teachers Award
programs to Department Headquarters and a copy to the Department Chairmen. This will enable
Department Headquarters to give the Posts credit on the Community Activity Report sooner.


13. Post and District Commanders are reminded that the Department pays the cost of the meal only
for the student to attend the Voice of Democracy banquet. Meals and lodging for the parents and
guests of the student must be arranged through Department Headquarters and paid for by the District or
Post, depending on District by-laws or standing rules. A special form to make rooming and meal
arrangements for students, their families, and guests will be distributed by the Voice of Democracy
General Orders #6, Series 10-11
Bob Wonnell, State Commander
Page - 3
Chairman. It is important that this form be used and returned to Department Headquarters by the
date indicated on the form. Credit card information must be included to hold the room. If hotel
doesn’t receive a district or post check at the event, room will be charged to the credit card listed
on the form. DO NOT SEND PAYMENT TO DEPARTMENT FOR DISTRICT WINNER’S ROOM.
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE ROOM RESERVATIONS FOR THE DISTRICT WINNER OUTSIDE THE
SPECIAL FORM EXPLAINED ABOVE. A BLOCK OF ROOMS HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR THIS
PURPOSE. DUPLICATION OF RESERVATIONS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE DOUBLE
DISBURSEMENT RESPONSIBILITY TO THE DISTRICT OR POST. Please contact Angela at
Department Headquarters if you have any questions.


14. The next issue of the Missourian will be posted in January. Deadline for submittal of articles for this
issue is January 1, 2011. Please submit your articles electronically if possible to
adj@mo.vfwwebmail.com.


15. The following District Meetings for the month of December are announced:
    DIST      POST #          LOCATION             DATE          TIME      REPRESENTATIVE
      12        3944      Overland/St. Ann         12-11-10      11:00 a.m.         Bob Wonnell



16. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to each and every
member.


       Official:                                                           By Order of:
       Jessie L. Jones                                                     Bob Wonnell
       Adjutant                                                            Commander